title: Optical parametric oscillator-based photoacoustic detection of hydrogen cyanide for biomedical applications.
abstract: A versatile, continuous wave, optical parametric oscillator is used in combination with photoacoustic spectroscopy for long-term trace gas experiments of volatile compounds emitted by biological samples. The optical parametric oscillator-based spectrometer (wavelength near 3 μm, 8-MHz linewidth, output power ∼1 W) is successfully tested for the detection of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) emission from clover leaves, and Pseudomonas bacteria; in addition, the presence of HCN in exhaled human breath is measured. For specific experiments, the spectrometer is operated continuously up to 10 days and has a detection limit of 0.4 parts-per-billion volume of HCN in air over 10 s, using the P8 rotational line in the ν₃ vibrational band of HCN at 3287.25 cm⁻¹. This results in an overall sensitivity of the system of 2.5 × 10⁻⁹ cm-1 Hz⁻¹/².
authors.affiliation: Radboud University Nijmegen, Life Science Trace Gas Research Group, Molecular and Laser Physics, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Denis D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Arslanov
authors.forename: Maria P P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Castro
authors.forename: Noortje A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Creemers
authors.forename: Anne H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Neerincx
authors.forename: Marius
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Spunei
authors.forename: Julien
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mandon
authors.forename: Simona M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Cristescu
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Merkus
authors.forename: Frans J M
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Harren
mesh_terms: D001944:Breath Tests / Q000379:methods*; D005740:Gases / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D006856:Hydrogen Cyanide / Q000032:analysis*; D057230:Limit of Detection; D061088:Photoacoustic Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D011549:Pseudomonas / Q000378:metabolism; D029921:Trifolium / Q000737:chemistry; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D005740:Gases; D055549:Volatile Organic Compounds; D006856:Hydrogen Cyanide